In the modern age, India is known for its demographic dividend, as the current growth in the economy is the result of a change in its age structure. According to the 2022 revision of the World Population Prospects India has more than 50 per cent of its population below the age of 25 and more than 65 per cent below the age of 35. In 2020, the average age of an Indian is 29 years, compared to 37 for China and 48 for Japan.
India stands out with its young population, but there is always a slight difference between crowd and capital. If this young population of India is left unskilled, uneducated and unemployed they will be unable to contribute to the country’s growth and development.
However, government authorities and private institutions are constantly working to skill and provide equal opportunities to the youngsters across different corners of India.
One such opportunity is given by the SBI foundation in the form of the SBI Youth for India Fellowship Programme where youngsters are being provided a framework to join hands with rural communities, empathise with their struggles, and connect with their aspirations.
Through this fellowship programme, they are not only getting employed but also getting immense exposure to interact with the rural India and their daily life issues. Under this fellowship programme, fellows are given 12 thematic choices; Health, Rural Livelihood, Food Security, Environmental Protection, Education, Water, Technology, Women’s Empowerment, Self-Governance, Social Entrepreneurship, Traditional Craft and Alternate Energy.
Gyan Prakash, Program Head, SBI Youth for India Fellowship, SBI Foundation informed that many fellows come and join this programme after leaving their well-to-do jobs because they have a passion for contributing to their rural India.
Gyan Prakash gave many examples of fellows who brought revolutionary changes in the rural people and received extreme love from the rural community in return.
He also called the programme ‘a journey not a job’ as these fellows go and spend time with the villagers, understand their real problems and weave a sustainable solution and hence make their special place for the community living in the village.
During this 13 month of the fellowship programme, the participants get accommodation in the respective village, a total of Rs 19000 including travel allowance and also receive Rs 90000 after completion of the programme.
According to Gyan Prakash, these fellows have great influence that makes them able to mobilise the villagers and local communities to work for collective good.
The fellowship programme also encourages these participants to learn the local language in order to interact with the locals.
After completing the fellowship, the young fellows are also assigned a career counsellor to discuss their future prospects.
He mentioned a fellow named Gautann from the 2017-18 batch, who initiated the backyard foresting by planting micro forest in the backyard of a home which has become a regular practice of farmers in that village.
Gyan Prakash also mentioned that 60- 70 per cent of the fellows remain in the developmental sector as their work brought them appreciation and love from locals.
Diversity is an undistinguished feature of Indian society, these kinds of fellowship programme actually connect the purpose to passion. These villages need change while the youngsters require employment and exposure, these kinds of fellowship programmes do give them the platform to unite.
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